Chapter 1
Steve Rogers was the man out of time.
What was worse, he couldn’t tell anyone. Nick Fury had offered him a SHIELD appointed psychologist, but he had declined.
He couldn’t say that he regretted that decision, but now it had been two years.
He’d seen a lot of things in those two years.
He was starting college in the fall, and his head felt heavy with all of the things he’d had to catch up to.
He’d taken a GED test just to be sure they hadn’t changed too much since the time he was from - by hell they had, but he took the differences in stride.
He had figured out the easiest way to cope with his shift into a new age, was not to.
He kept moving, doing school, catching up on news (technically it was ‘history’, not news, but it was news to him), 2015 brought the national legalisation of gay marriage, and Steve couldn’t get enough of this crazy world that seemed so very different.
He hadn’t taken it upon himself to get close with too many people - most people, he’d say one thing wrong and he always got this look, a look that was almost pitiful, and it made him sick to his stomach.
He wasn’t stupid, by any means, but he was grasping at straws in the sense of trying to not seem so out of place.
His customs were outdated, his language old-fashioned, and after about the first eight months, he’d given up on trying to have a normal life.
Instead, he worked. He worked at his academic goals, he worked out, he had a job at a deli down the street from his apartment, though his coworkers thought him an odd one, he’d learned to ignore their sideways glances, meet their eyes and give a pleasant smile.
He had one person he’d consider a friend, and that was Sam Wilson.
Sam lived in his building, from what he could tell, and he ran the same route in the mornings, and now and then the two would stop and chat.
Sam never gave him that look, he would just smile, explain why whatever Steve had said didn’t fit anymore.
Steve didn’t even mind asking Sam questions, though he was two years younger at barely eighteen, Sam definitely understood the mixed up world that was 2016 America in more depth than Steve was starting to think he ever would.
Summer was drawing to a close, and NYU would be a fresh start Steve could definitely use.
The first day of college, Steve had no classes, and was expected to tour the campus as well as meeting his roommates.
There was a small fair happening, as everyone milled about, several older students encouraged people to join sororities and various sports teams.
He would have three roommates, and the dorms were coed, though Steve thought this wildly inappropriate.
He wandered around the fair a bit, before pulling out his map of the campus to find ‘Building A2’ where his dorm was supposed to be.
It took him about twenty minutes to find the building, and after that it was a short walk to find the actual room.
He knocked quietly before opening the door, to see a woman with dark red hair, dressed in a plain white T-shirt and black skinny jeans, topped with a leather jacket.
She gave him a once over, and Steve felt inexplicably vulnerable, as she scrutinized him in deep thought, before holding a hand out in his direction.
“Natasha.” She introduced dryly.
He shook her hand. “Steve.”
She nodded, like he’d passed some sort of test. “Top bunk in the left corner is mine. Don’t touch it. Don’t touch me.” Her voice was all business, though her expression softened slightly. “That’s all.”
She went over to her bed, in one smooth movement sweeping herself up onto it, and then put earbuds in.
They were the only two in the room as of now, and Steve decided to take a look around.
He dropped his heavy backpack onto the top bunk opposite Natasha, and drifted into the next room; the door let into the bedroom, with two bunk beds on opposite walls, but through an archway was a lavish living area, with a long couch, a coffee table, and a television set.
To the left end of the couch, Steve’s right, as he faced it, there was a doorway to a small kitchen, with only a divider between it and the living room, a large steel sink, a dishwasher, microwave oven, a mini fridge, and a coffee maker.
There was another door on the opposite end, and Steve opened it to find a restroom.
A toilet was in its own little room, separate from the shower and double sink.
This dorm was almost as big as his apartment. Maybe bigger.
When he made his way back to the bedroom, another had joined them.
She was small, must have been a bit younger than Steve, and she wore a bright yellow sundress.
Her hair was light brown, cut at a bob curling around her jawline, and she wore an enthusiastic grin.
She held out a hand to him. “Hey! I’m Janet, it’s great to meet you.” She introduced herself.
He took her hand, a friendly smile on his face as she shook enthusiastically. “I’m Steve, it’s nice to meet you too, ma’am.”
She released his hand to punch him playfully in the arm. “‘Ma’am’?” She snorted with laughter, but continued, “Gonna be a fun year, huh roomie? I know I’m excited. I’ve been waiting for this -”
Natasha had taken out her earbuds, and this seemed to be the first Janet noticed her.
The redhead moved quickly and silently to the floor, giving a small smile, and extending a hand to Janet. “Natasha,” She greeted much more warmly than she had Steve.
Janet took her hand. “Janet. I’m so excited to get to know you guys, I’ve probably seen every college movie ever written, and I’m ready for this to be an awesome year, and it seems my roommate’s are really cool, at least you guys-”
She was interrupted by the door opening. In walked their last roommate, and Steve’s stomach did a flip.
Mirror shades over a three piece suit, black hair spiked up, white teeth in a perfect media smile, and walking in with a presence like he owned the place.
What was worse, he removed his shades to reveal a striking resemblance to -
“Stark?” Steve muttered.
The man paused, and made a face. “I was gonna make a more dramatic introduction, but I see you’ve heard of me.” That flashy grin was back. “I mean, who hasn’t?”
That was impossible. Howard Stark would be much older than this by now - if he was even still alive.
The stranger extended a hand to Steve, who was still dumbfounded. “Tony Stark, yes, the one and only.” He said proudly. “And who is the hot piece of ass I’m privileged to share a room with?”
Tony. Steve barely paid mind to the rest of what he’d said.
Natasha was glaring at Tony, probably for the ‘hot piece of ass’ comment.
Steve shook his head, his eyebrows drawing together as the pieces fell into place.
Young, but bearing a striking resemblance and sharing the same name. This was Howard Stark’s son.
Tony noted Natasha, and waved her off. “Don’t flatter yourself, when there’s such an obvious superior.” He flicked his gaze back to Steve.
Janet was almost squealing. “We’re going to college with Tony Stark, the engineering genius!” She held out a hand, and regained her composure. “Janet Van Dyne.” She introduced, very formally. “I gotta say, it’s pretty awesome to meet you in person.”
He nodded as he shook her hand, like this was something he heard a lot, and turned to extend a hand to Natasha, who didn’t look nearly as impressed. “Natasha.” She introduced coldly.
She shook his hand, but was giving him that same look she’d given Steve, before she went on to point to her bed. “My bed. Don’t touch it. Don’t touch my stuff. Don’t touch me.” Then she returned to her bed and put her earbuds back in.
Janet shrugged, and it was all Steve could do not to stare at the photocopy of his old friend.
The girl dropped her stuff onto the bed underneath Natasha, and then began unpacking it.
Tony turned to Steve, and leaned on the doorframe.
“What’s your story, Muscles?” He asked, not trying to hide his wandering eyes.
All Steve managed in response was a clever, “Wha?” and damned if Tony smirked like that again Steve might punch him.
“Sorry, my amazingness as that effect on people sometimes. It should wear off eventually-”
“Already over it.” Steve said pointedly.
Tony looked a lot like his father, but he was so different all the same.
Where Howard was intense and down to earth, Tony was cocky and sarcastic. Every movement made by Tony was a contradiction.
He moved with swagger, and he raised his eyebrows incredulously at Steve’s words, his gaze snapping back up to meet his eyes..
“Well than this is gonna be a long year for you, friend, because ‘awesome’ is my default setting.” He said smugly
Something Howard never would have said. Steve wasn’t sure if he could stand having Howard’s son for a roommate - it was too close to his old life.
All he said was, “Yeah, sure.” Before frowning. “I’m gonna go back out to the fair actually, now that I’ve dropped off my stuff-”
“Excellent!” Tony exclaimed, throwing his own backpack on the same bed where Steve had dropped his. “I was heading back out that way too. You can walk with me.” He didn’t say it like a question. Steve was still trying to shake off the weird feeling that was gradually tightening his stomach, but he didn’t argue.
The two set back out of the dorm together, and a silence fell over them, which was okay by Steve.
But Tony wasn’t gonna let it last. “So, what’s your major?” Tony asked.
“Art.” Steve replied, tone not inviting further prodding. Tony didn’t take the hint.
“Really? Wouldn’t have pegged you for an art guy.” The raven muttered. His shades had returned at some point, Steve gave him a look but couldn’t judge his reaction beyond the slight upturn of the corner of his mouth.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” The blond asked, taken aback.
Tony shrugged. “No offense or anything, you’ve just got that Peyton Manning physique going, I figured you were a football player or something.”
“‘Peyton Manning’?” He slipped out, not really meaning to ask the question.
When Tony raised an eyebrow above the gold rim of his shades, Steve regretted asking.
But then the raven just nodded. “Not a football fan. Okay.” Steve frowned again. He decided he’d have to look into that later.
“What about you?” He decided to shift the focus from himself, and Tony seemed the type who liked to talk about himself. “What’s your major?” He asked.
“Technical Engineering.” Tony offered. Figures.
Steve nodded. “Of course.” He said, almost bitterly.
Tony clenched his jaw. “I do have a company to run. And, if I’m a little late on the college part, boo-hoo. After all, I hardly think I need it - I’m already a genius - it’s mostly for press. My public consultant thinks if I have documents proving that I’m a genius, no one can question my experience in the field.”
Steve nodded. “Your dad is an engineer too,” After a pause, he quickly added, “Right? I mean, so I’ve heard.”
Tony made a bitter face. “I’m not my dad.” He almost spat.
He tucked both of his hands into his pockets, and began walking faster. Steve had no trouble keeping up though. “I’m sorry, didn’t mean to hit a nerve -”
“You’re fine, you didn’t hit a nerve, my father was a very successful businessman and built a sound company that’s made billions.” He said simply, though he didn’t look at Steve.
The blond chewed his lip, but said nothing. The word ‘was’ rung in his head. It felt like a punch in the face, though he wasn’t that surprised.
Tony paused in his step, his brows knit as if deep in thought. “And you said is.”
Steve stopped too, so he wouldn’t pull too far ahead. It was impossible to guess what Tony was thinking behind those ridiculous sunglasses. “Yeah - I-I don’t know what I was thinking…” He tried to shrug it off like it was nothing, but Tony pursed his lips.
“Howard Stark died almost ten years ago.” He said matter of factly.
Steve felt himself flinch at this at this, and by the way Tony nodded, he hadn’t done a good job covering for it.
“You’ve got a crazy story, haven’t you?” Tony gave a light smile, and kept walking like nothing had happened.
They said nothing more on the matter of Howard Stark as they emerged through double doors and into the late afternoon sun of the fair.
They made conversation casually, talking about different clubs people tried to get them to join, and Steve felt much more comfortable by the time they headed back to the dorm.
Tony, true to tale, was very different from Howard.
While he shared a striking physical resemblance, everything about the way he carried himself, the way he spoke, and a lot of the views he had suggested someone much more comfortable in his skin and surroundings.
He was cocky and arrogant and everything Howard wasn’t. This was fine by Steve.
When they returned to the dorm, Tony paused with his hand a few inches from the doorknob.
He turned to face Steve, standing between the other student and the door.
Steve raised an eyebrow, as Tony’s expression was still hidden behind those ridiculous aviators.
“I’m gonna figure you out, Steve.” He decided. “In fact, I’ll make it my mission for the school year.”
Steve raised his hands in surrender. “Hey man, I’m an open book.” He swore innocently.
Tony rolled his eyes. “Right. So am I.” He said mockingly, as he turned to open the door.
Janet was sitting quietly at the large desk that ran alongside the wall opposite the heads of the bunk beds.
When they walked in, she looked up from her notebook she was scribbling in. She gave them a bright smile, a small wave, and then looked back down to what she was doing.
Steve returned her smile, and then continued into the kitchen, where Tony followed, leaning on the divider between the kitchen and the living room to watch him.
Steve paused, before rounding on the other student. He leaned against the opposite counter and crossed his arms.
“What?” He asked accusatorily.
Tony raised his eyebrows. “Nothing.” He said, an amused air to his voice.
Steve narrowed his eyes. “‘Nothing’? Really? A minute ago, you swore to make figuring me out your mission, and now it’s nothing? Honestly Tony, anything you wanna know, just ask.”
The corner of Tony’s mouth tilted upward in a smirk, as he slowly removed his sunglasses and folded them on the counter. “That’s a big commitment, Steve-o. You sure you wanna go that far?”
The way Tony said it, it sounded like he was indeed making a big commitment, and not just being honest. He shrugged. “Hit me with your best shot.”
“Where’d you grow up?” Tony asked immediately.
“Brooklyn.” The word had barely left his mouth when Tony started the next question.
“Any siblings?”
“No.”
“You live in the city, or just school here?”
“I live here.”
“When did you move?”
“About two years ago.” It wasn’t a lie.
“Why?”
“I wanted a fresh start.”
“Rough life back home?”
Steve paused. “No,”
Tony slapped the counter, as if having just made a point. “That wasn’t honest.” He deduced.
Steve narrowed his eyes, noting the intense way Tony watched him. “Why do you say that?”
“The first answer in your head is usually the true one. You flinched when I mentioned home, and then you had to consider your answer. So it could be a true answer, at least you could believe it, but something happened that made you leave, and you didn’t seem like you dislike Brooklyn itself, so something changed.” He raised an eyebrow. “But you don’t have to tell me.” That smirk had returned, and Steve felt his face heat up.
“Fine. You want the truth? I lost someone. Someone important. Every single thing in my old life was a reminder of… What I’d lost. That wasn’t why I left, but it’s why I’ll never go back.” He forged on confidently. “I told you, I have nothing to hide.”
Tony was quiet for a moment, his expression unreadable. “What do you mean by ‘lost’? They leave, or..?” His tone was softer than Steve could have thought possible, and the soldier steeled his resolve.
“He died.” Steve heard his voice, like it wasn’t his own, raspy and quiet, a bitter edge to it he hadn’t known himself capable of.
He realised this was the first time he’d even really spoken of it. He couldn’t hold Tony’s gaze anymore though, and dropped his slightly.
It fell on Tony’s chest, which was illuminated by a faint blue glow. He logged that away to ask another time.
“What was he to you?” Tony asked, still in a cautious tone.
Steve shook his head, still not meeting Tony’s eyes.
“Everything.” Was the only word that he managed.
Tony nodded.
Steve took a breath, as the two stood there in silence for a few more moments.
Tony didn’t bother with an ‘I’m sorry’, ‘that’s terrible’, or any other fake condolences, and Steve appreciated it.
Instead, the two stood in silence, until Steve looked up.
“What about you?” He asked. “What’s your story, Tony Stark, son of the inventor?” He quirked an eyebrow.
Tony clenched his jaw. “Exactly that. My great legacy, my life story, is that my father built weapons.” He said bitterly.
Steve bit his lip. “That’s not what I meant.” Steve said pointedly.
“It’s what you said though. I guess a better question would be why you seem so interested in my father. You can’t be much older than me, so he would’ve been dead before you were old enough to care. What does Steve Rogers care, about Howard Stark?” He speculated.
Steve shrugged. “I always did like to entertain the idea of moving forward.” He sidestepped. “You, on the other hand, are deflecting.” He nodded to the glow about Tony’s chest. “What’s the story behind that?”
Tony crossed his arms across his chest, drawing himself back up to full height in suddenly closed off posture. “It’s nothing.” He shrugged the question off.
Steve narrowed his eyes, and Tony made a face at him.
“You know what? It’s really none of your business.” He decided, a cold edge to his voice.
Steve raised his hands in surrender. “Okay, fine, sorry.” He relented.
Tony stood there a moment longer, before shaking his head. “I’m gonna go hop in the shower.” He moved to grab clothes from a suitcase Steve hadn’t noticed him bring in, before walking back through the kitchen unnecessarily.
As he breezed by Steve, he muttered, “It’d be a shame to do it all alone.”
Steve sputtered, as Tony parked himself in the doorway a moment.
“The nerve-!”
Tony burst out laughing. “You should see your face. Priceless!” He threw Steve a wink, before entering the bathroom.
He didn’t lock the door.
Steve wished he hadn’t noticed that.
He rolled his eyes, and made his way back to the bedroom.
Janet was still sitting at the desk, but her eyes were wide, fixed on whatever it was she was doing, and she didn’t meet Steve’s gaze when he walked in.
He leaned on the doorframe, thinking about the setup of the dorm. “How much of that did you hear?” He asked her, trying not to sound too prying.
“Nothing. What? I didn’t hear anything.” Her eyes were still wide, fixed on the line where her pencil had stopped.
Steve couldn’t help but laugh a bit, and saw some of the tension leave her frame at this. “Okay, but if you had, it would be fine.” He told her, moving to the bed he’d claimed, annoyingly draped with Tony’s suitcase and backpack now.
Janet blinked. “Really? Because I wasn’t eavesdropping, I mean I tried not to listen, but then you guys were talking, and it got really quiet, so I started listening more and then boom personal information - sorry.” She muttered.
Steve laughed now, hearty and true, and Janet smiled at him. “You know, I think you were right about one thing for sure,” Steve decided.
“I mean, I’m pretty much always right,” She pointed out. “But continue.”
“If nothing else, this is going to be an interesting year.” He decided.
Janet nodded. “I’m glad you’re my roommate.” She decided. “Tony’s okay too.” She joked, as Steve started to move his stuff to the bottom bunk. Choose your battles, right?
Just then, Natasha rejoined them.
She gave Steve a passing glance, and Janet a small smile, before returning to her bunk.
She didn’t put her headphones back in though, as she pulled out her phone.
Steve followed his stuff onto the bottom bunk, and pulled out a piece of technology he had mostly gotten used to; his cell phone.
He’d spent a ridiculous amount of time on this thing, making sure he knew how to use it properly, and now rather enjoyed it.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence between the three, the shower shut off, and Tony joined them.
He was fully clothed again, and that faint blue glow still caught Steve’s eyes.
Tony’s tight shirt also revealed defined muscles, his broad shoulders tight and guarded, despite the easy smile on his face.
Steve dragged his eyes back up to see Tony smirking at him.
“Like what you see?” He teased.
Steve felt heat rise to his cheeks, as he made a face.
Then he did the most mature thing he could think of; he chucked a book at Tony, who narrowly dodged it, coming back up with a mix of fear and admiration.
“Damn! You’ve got aim.” He bent down to pick up the book, his behind in clear view of the whole room.
Natasha, who had been watching intently, rolled her eyes and plugged in her headphones again.
Steve felt his gaze linger maybe a moment too long on the Tonys back as he bent to collect the book, and wrinkled his nose when Janet giggled.
Tony handed the book back with a smug look, intentionally holding on a moment too long and a little too tight, so their fingers brushed.
Then he winked. Steve glared at him, right up until he disappeared over Steve’s bottom bunk, holding his gaze with that cool look all the while.
Semi-comfortable silence ensued for the rest of the day, as all four attended to themselves.
The next day was pretty standard; Steve had a few classes scattered throughout the day, and between them he mostly stayed in his dorm.
Around three, he re-entered the dorm to find only Tony waiting for him.
The raven quirked up an eyebrow, and Steve realized this was the first time he'd been alone with him.
Tony gave a smirk before turning back to his phone.
Steve poured himself a cup of black coffee, as someone had made a pot and not finished it, before he sat down on his bunk and pulled his suitcase from underneath it, rummaging around for a textbook he knew he had.
Just when he thought Tony wasn't going to bother him with scrutinizing displays of what might be mistaken for flirting, he piped up.
“I really didn't figure you for a bottom.” Steve spit black coffee out on himself.
“What?!” He choked out.
“I put my stuff on your bed, and instead of throwing my stuff off or confronting me about it, you just moved your stuff. Either you don't care, you were planning on moving anyway, which I doubt, or you would rather lose out if it means avoiding confrontation. Ergo - bottom.” he said it casually, like reading from a manual.
“Wh… How does your brain even do that?” Steve stood and made his way to the kitchen.
“Do what?” Tony asked, an amused edge to his voice.
“You put your stuff on my bed like a test. What would inspire you to even try that?” Steve found paper towels in a kitchen cabinet. He silently thanked whoever had stocked them.
Tony seemed to be considering the question. Then he shrugged, hopping down from the bed. “I like to get a read on people.” he found his shades and returned them to his face.
Extra.
The raven had positioned himself so Steve had to brush past him to get to his bed, and as he did, he swore he felt a hand on his behind.
Steve whirled around, and Tony raised an eyebrow. He looked like he was about to say something smart, when he faltered. “Too far?” he raised both hands, before tucking them into his pockets.
Steve rolled his eyes, and wiped off his covers, having already done so to his shirt in the kitchen.
“Your version of getting a read on people requires random sexual innuendos?” Steve asked, as he stood to face Tony, who had now planted himself in the doorway, effectively cutting Steve off from the living room, and the trash can.
Tony smirked. “Nope, that's just for you.” his posture suggested he knew exactly how in the way he was.
Fine, two could play at this game.
Steve marched right up to Tony, and squeezed between the other student and the door frame, though his chest pushed Tony to the side.
As he did this, he made sure to exhale, the slightest hint of a moan escaping his lips only barely reaching Tony's ears.
After this he resumed as he normally would, taking in out of the corner of his eye the way Tony shivered.
He felt he had accomplished his goal, as he threw away the wad of paper towels and brushed back past his roommate, making no sound this time.
When he saw Tony's face, it wasn't what he expected.
He wore an expression that said he'd just been challenged, and he didn't intend to fail it.
Steve sat back down on his bunk nonetheless.
Tony stood there a moment longer, looking deep in thought, before a resolute look crossed his face, and in one certain stride he was at the bed, and then his knees were on either side of Steve’s legs and his hand planted in the covers behind the blond who was taking a moment to understand.
He felt hot breath on his lips and Tony's eyes showed through his mirror shades, mere inches from Steve’s.
“It. Is. On.” With every word, he leaned a little bit closer so that by the last, Steve could feel his lips ghost his own.
And in a heartbeat he was gone, moving back up to his own bunk in one smooth movement.
Steve sat there a moment longer, eyes wide and heart thumping against his ribcage.
What had he gotten himself into?